What is ‘salad bar’ extremism, and is a new rehab playbook needed to tackle this form of radicalisation?

In the last 10 months, the Internal Security Department (ISD) has handled at least three instances of “salad bar” extremism under the Internal Security Act.
Those radicalised by "salad bar" extremism, or CoVE, assemble their own patchwork of ideologies, including conflicting ones such as pro-ISIS and far-right narratives (Illustration: CNA/Clara Ho)

Fabian Koh

30 Jul 2026 


SINGAPORE: As extremist threats shift beyond traditional ideological lines with the rise of “salad bar” extremism, detecting and rehabilitating radicalised individuals has become more difficult than before, said experts.

Also known as Composite Violent Extremism (CoVE), it has seen individuals assemble their own patchwork of ideologies, including conflicting ones such as pro-ISIS and far-right narratives, upon which they pursue violence.

Man set up devices in Singapore blasting 50,000 scam calls in 50 minutes; victims lost S$1.6 million

The syndicated operation involved masterminds believed to be Taiwanese, drawing from a SIM pool purportedly located in Malaysia that housed multiple SIM cards in a single system.

The devices and a CCTV camera in one of the raided bedrooms. (Photo: Court documents)

Lydia Lam
02 Apr 2026

SINGAPORE: A Malaysian electrician was recruited by a syndicate and travelled to Singapore to set up devices in a rented house that would blast thousands of automated scam calls, with call origins masked to appear like they were being made locally.

8ui

About "Signalgate"

Video: Signalgate. It's Worse Than You Think. || Peter Zeihan

The Atlantic magazine publishes US attack plan mistakenly shared in chat group

MAR 27, 2025

WASHINGTON – The Atlantic magazine on March 26 published what it said was the entire text of a chat group mistakenly shared with a journalist by top US national security officials laying out plans of an imminent attack on Yemen.

Urinating at MRT Stations - Cases in court in Jan 2025

2 more men charged with urinating in public at MRT stations

On Jan 14, Li Guorui, 41, pleaded guilty to one charge of being a public nuisance. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG

Nadine Chua

JAN 15, 2025

SINGAPORE - Two more men have been charged with urinating in public at MRT stations.

This comes a day after a man was fined $2,000 for the same offence at Outram Park MRT station.

On Jan 15, Zhou Hongwei, 57, was charged with urinating in front of the passenger service centre at Potong Pasir MRT station on Jan 13 at around 7.30pm.

New "United Front"? Chinese Agents in South East Asia?

Firstpost is an India-based, obviously biased, anti-Chinese, news channel. So they would highlight or feature any news item that would put China in a bad light. But they do also cover the news about China, like this story about Linda Sun and Alice Guo.

Woman fined for refusing to wear mask during COVID-19 pandemic

Clariel Griffin is the wife of British national Clive Ainsley Griffin, who was also fined for refusing to wear a mask at
Marina Bay Sands during the COVID-19 pandemic. Clariel Griffin outside the State Courts on Jun 24, 2024.
(Photo: CNA/Syamil Sapari)

Renee Kuek

24 Jun 2024

SINGAPORE: A woman was fined S$9,200 (US$6,800) on Monday (Jun 24) for failing to wear a mask and using criminal force on a safe-distancing ambassador during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Clariel Griffin, a 49-year-old Singaporean, violated COVID-19 regulations in September 2021 at Marina Bay Sands (MBS), along with her husband, British national Clive Ainsley Griffin.

10 MRT Rules Most Singaporeans Don’t Know Exist & Are Probably Breaking

19 Mar 2024

Raiz Redwan

MRT rules in Singapore

Bringing in durians or smoking on the train are some of the rules most of us are probably aware of and are hopefully not breaking. But Singapore, being the fine city that we are, actually has numerous other rules that some of us may not even have heard of. Here are 10 lesser-known MRT rules to know so you aren’t found guilty of breaking them.

1. Bringing super-big luggages on board – $500 fine

Saving on delivery fees for your new 50” TV or refusing to cab to the airport is a good idea, but make sure your items are within the specified dimensions when you board the MRT. If kena reported, there’s a chance you might face a fine of $500.

Senior counsel questions handling of Keppel bribery case as other lawyers weigh in; Indranee to address matter in Parliament

A view of the Brani, Keppel and Tanjong Pagar container terminals in Singapore on Aug 19, 2022. Reuters

February 2, 2023


SINGAPORE — A senior counsel has questioned the decision by Singapore authorities not to prosecute six former senior management staff members of Keppel Offshore & Marine for a US$55 million (S$73 million) bribery case involving Brazilian oil giant Petrobras.

However, other lawyers who weighed in on the subject, while acknowledging the lack of clarity and how it might appear questionable to the public, suggested that the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) might have reason not to divulge certain legally protected information.

Commentary: Dissecting Singapore’s rare offer of a live TV debate to Richard Branson and what his refusal means

AFP, Raj Nadarajan/TODAYUltimately, the Government’s position must prevail in the court of domestic public opinion,
which has shown robust support for and confidence in Singapore’s approach to drugs, including the use of the
discretionary death penalty, says the author.

BY EUGENE K B TAN

November 2, 2022

After nine days of silence, British billionaire Richard Branson has turned down an invitation to a live televised debate in Singapore with Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam on the Republic’s approach towards drugs and the death penalty.

In a statement addressed to the Singapore minister on Monday (Oct 31), Mr Branson said a TV debate was not a suitable platform for a complex issue like the death penalty.

Branson says no to TV debate with Shanmugam, says conversation on death penalty 'needs local voices'

A composite photo showing British billionaire Richard Branson and Singapore Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam.
(Photos: AFP, CNA)

31 Oct 2022

SINGAPORE: British billionaire Richard Branson declined the Ministry of Home Affairs’ (MHA) invitation to a debate on Singapore’s approach towards drugs and the death penalty, saying the conversation “needs local voices” and that a television debate “cannot do the complexity of the death penalty any service”.

Dark shades, beige berets, submachine guns: The police counterterrorism unit made up mostly of NSFs

Police officers from the Protective Security Command (ProCom) clearing a room. (Photo: Calvin Oh/CNA)

Aqil Haziq Mahmud

19 Dec 2021

SINGAPORE: On Dec 29, 2019, Inspector (INSP) Herman Mohamed Sidek was on a regular patrol with three other police officers – all full-time national servicemen (NSF) – near Paragon shopping centre when he heard a loud bang in the direction of Lucky Plaza nearby.

“We thought that something exploded,” the 43-year-old regular from the Protective Security Command (ProCom) told reporters on Thursday (Dec 16). “So, my first thought was to run (to the incident).”

Separation of powers, rule of law fundamental principles but need to ‘look at what works’: Shanmugam

By NG JUN SEN

OCTOBER 05, 2021

• The Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act was passed into law after an almost 11-hour debate
• The debate saw Workers’ Party MPs moot amendments to the law, including a key push for judicial review by the courts
• Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam said he agreed with the party on the principles but exceptions need to be made in some situations
• Most of the party's proposals were rejected except for one
• 11 parliamentarians voted against the Bill and two Nominated MPs abstained from voting

SINGAPORE — Singapore will not be where it is today if the People’s Action Party (PAP) Government did not uphold the fundamental principles of separation of powers and the rule of law, but it is necessary to “get out of this colonisation of our minds... (and) look at what works”, Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam said.

Mr Shanmugam was responding on Monday (Oct 4) to the Workers’ Party (WP) as he wrapped up a marathon debate on the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act, or Fica. The debate started around 12.30pm and ended almost 11 hours later.

In that time, Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh and several fellow WP Members of Parliament (MPs) spoke at length on the opposition party’s key proposal: For judicial oversight of the new law.

Mr Shanmugam said that the PAP Government agrees with WP on the importance of the principles but it differs on where exceptions need to be made.

Schoolgirl admits to lying about beheaded French teacher

MARCH 09, 2021

PARIS — A schoolgirl who sparked a deadly online hate campaign against a French teacher after he showed cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed to students has admitted to lying and spreading false claims about him, her lawyer said on Monday (March 8).

The girl had claimed the teacher, Samuel Paty, who was beheaded by an Islamic extremist in the street in October last year, had asked Muslims to leave the class when he showed the cartoons.

The girl's father later lodged a legal complaint and amplified the allegations online, leading an 18-year-old Chechen refugee to track down Paty in the town of Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, northwest of Paris.

5 firms punished under harsher regime against discriminatory hiring practices

By Justin Ong

Of the five companies that have been taken to task under the enhanced penalties for discriminatory hiring practices, one of them, Ti2 Logistics Pte Ltd, has been charged.

15 January, 2020

SINGAPORE — One company put up a job application specifically hiring males, another falsely declared that it had interviewed Singaporean job applicants when it had already selected a foreign candidate.

In total, five companies have faced stiffer penalties for discriminatory hiring practices under the Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM’s) updated Fair Consideration Framework (FCF) unveiled on Tuesday (Jan 14).

Welcoming the “more robust and resolute” measures, the National Trades Union Congress' assistant secretary-general Patrick Tay said in a Facebook post that the enhanced framework serves to level the playing field for Singaporean professionals, managers and executives.

“The harsher penalties will send a deterrent effect to would-be and recalcitrant employers and businesses,” he wrote.

“The blacklisting and highlighting of specific companies is a positive move to send a strong signal to the errant company, the sector/industry and to the labour market as a whole.”

'Now or never': Hong Kong protesters say they have nothing to lose

28 August, 2019


HONG KONG - Exasperated with the government's unflinching attitude to escalating civil unrest, Jason Tse quit his job in Australia and jumped on a plane to join what he believes is a do-or-die fight for Hong Kong's future.

The Chinese territory is grappling with its biggest crisis since its handover to Beijing 22 years ago as many residents fret over what they see as China's tightening grip over the city and a relentless march toward mainland control.

The battle for Hong Kong's soul has pitted protesters against the former British colony's political masters in Beijing, with broad swathes of the Asian financial center determined to defend the territory's freedoms at any cost.

MHA hits back at Asia Times op-ed alleging K Shanmugam spread ‘poorly informed’ drug stats

They pulled out a bunch of studies the op-ed writer somehow wasn't able to find.

Joshua Lee

August 3, 2019

Mothership


The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Friday evening issued a statement countering claims made in an Asia Timesarticle on drugs and Singapore’s laws.
Article claimed K. Shanmugam peddled misleading statistics

The op-ed, “Singapore minister spreading disinformation about drug policy”, alleged that Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam has been peddling “poorly informed and inflammatory” claims to back Singapore’s drug policy.

Its author, Gen Sander, is a human-rights analyst at Harm Reduction international, a non-government organisation that works to “reduce the negative health, social and legal impacts of drug use and drug policies”.

Sander’s article, dated July 17, asserted that the statistics used by the minister to justify the harsh stance Singapore takes against drug use and abuse are wrong or cannot be verified by existing evidence.

Rap video criticising ‘brownface’ ad crossed the line by attacking Singaporean Chinese: Shanmugam

By Faris Mokhtar

In response to a video by rapper Subhas Nair and YouTuber Preeti Nair, Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam said that it is not acceptable to use four-letter words and vulgar language to attack another race and put it out in public.

TODAY

30 July, 2019


SINGAPORE — A rap video, which called out a racially offensive advertisement, crossed the line because it contained vulgarities directed at Singaporean Chinese and could turn minorities against the majority community, Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam said.

HK Protest 2019 - Reverberations

[Hong Kongers have been protesting a proposed Extradition Bill, that when passed (into law) would allow HKers to be extradited to China. Here is a perspective of the earlier protests (link), the future of HK, and the long-term reality.

It was an exercise in futility except for (IMHO) growing frustration, panicked realisation, and hopelessness. 

Although the HK government has backed down, and suspended the passage of the bill, people with knowledge of the legislative process have pointed out that it is NOT legislatively dead. Merely postponed. The bill has simply been retracted the request for the Legislative Council to resume the second reading.

A bill needs to have 3 readings before passage into law. The bill as it is now has only had the first reading. But if things were as in Singapore, the Second and Third Reading can usually be passed within the same day. As such, the Extradition Bill can be passed easily. All it needs is for 12 days notice for the resumption of the second reading.

Unless it is legislatively "killed" - voted down in the second and third reading, formally withdrawn, or the term of the council expires before the bill is passed. 

The frustration and hopelessness may be engendered by the realisation that it is all futile. From the previous link: 

The reality is that HK has been handed over to China in 1997, and even if the Chinese Govt keeps to the promise of not interfering in HK for 50 years, 2047 is only 28 years away, and the Chinese government plays the long game.

HK has no leverage. Beijing can simply wait 28 years. They are in no hurry. Meanwhile, panicked realisation.

Also, the HK Police has been sorely stressed and pressured. Even as protests continued (because, bill not "dead".) And then, gangsters attacked protesters returning from a march. How do we know these are gangsters? The police said so.

And comments that the protesters battled police in the past weeks only to call on the police for help when they are set upon by thugs, and so are hypocrites who want their cake and eat it too. Anyway, these are the... reverberations from the protests.] 

30 years after Tiananmen, a Chinese military insider warns: Never forget

29 May, 2019

BEIJING — For three decades, Ms Jiang Lin kept quiet about the carnage she had seen on the night when the Chinese army rolled through Beijing to crush student protests in Tiananmen Square.

But the memories tormented her — of soldiers firing into crowds in the dark, bodies slumped in pools of blood and the thud of clubs when troops bludgeoned her to the ground near the square.

Ms Jiang was a lieutenant in the People’s Liberation Army back then, with a firsthand view of both the massacre and a failed attempt by senior commanders to dissuade China’s leaders from using military force to crush the pro-democracy protests.

China’s ‘charming towns’ plan turns into a nightmare for investors, amid legal crackdown

Initiative was to dot the countryside with themed villages, like Crayfish Town, Poetry Town, Fairyland Town, and Happy Town

Collapse of a funding company has seen senior executives detained by police, and thousands of investors scrambling for answers

He Huifeng


2 May, 2019



An artist's impression of the Crayfish Town, created by JC Group. Photo: Handout